Tag: life

Combine a few common kitchen ingredients and watch them inflate a balloon without your help! This fun hands-on experiment is a great way to learn about chemical reactions and encourage a love for science in your child. The two combined ingredients create carbon dioxide, which is what inflates the balloon. The balloon doesn’t contain helium, so it won’t float.

Step 1: Pour a little vinegar into a plastic bottle. Choose a plastic water bottle, or another bottle with a narrow neck. Pour 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of vinegar into the bottle, using a funnel if you have one. Use white vinegar, also called distilled vinegar, for the best result.

You can try this with any kind of vinegar, but the inflation might take longer or require more vinegar to work. Other types of vinegar tend to be more expensive as well.

Vinegar can damage metal containers, potentially adding an unpleasant taste to food and drink stored in that container. If you have no plastic bottles, use a high-quality stainless steel bottle to minimize the chance of this happening. Weakening the vinegar with an equal amount of water might also help, and won’t prevent the balloon from inflating.

Step 2: Use a funnel or straw to put a little baking soda into a limp balloon. You can use any shape and color of balloon. Hold it loosely by the neck, with the open side of the balloon facing towards you. Fit a funnel into the neck if you have one, then pour about two tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda into the balloon, or just fill the balloon about halfway full.

If you don’t have a funnel, you can place a plastic straw into a pile of baking soda, put your finger over the top hole of the straw, then poke the straw into the balloon and lift your finger. Tap the straw to get the baking soda to fall out, and repeat until the balloon is at least 1/3 of the way full.

Step 3: Stretch the neck of the balloon over the top of the bottle. Be careful not to spill the baking soda while you do this. Hold the balloon’s neck with both hands and stretch it over the top of the plastic bottle containing vinegar. Have a friend keep the bottle steady if the table or bottle is wobbly.

Step 4: Lift the balloon up over the bottle and watch the reaction. The baking soda should fall out of the balloon, through the neck of the bottle, and into the vinegar at the bottom. Here, the two chemicals will fizz and react, turning into other chemicals. One of these is carbon dioxide, a gas, which will rise up and inflate the balloon.

Shake the bottle gently to mix the two ingredients if there’s not much fizzing.

Step 5: If it doesn’t work, try again with more vinegar or baking soda. If the fizzing has stopped and the balloon still hasn’t inflated after you count to 100, empty out the bottle and try again with more vinegar and baking soda. The stuff left in the bottle has turned into other chemicals, mostly water, so it can’t be used again.

Don’t go overboard. The bottle should never be more than about 1/3 full of vinegar.

How does this work?

Just about everything around you is composed of molecules. Often, when two different molecules react with each other, they break up and form entirely new molecules from the pieces.

Learn about baking soda and vinegar. The reactants, or substances that reacted with each other in the fizzy reaction you saw, are baking soda and vinegar. Unlike many ingredients in your kitchen, both of these are simple chemicals, not complicated mixtures of many chemicals:

Baking soda is another word for the molecule sodium bicarbonate.

White vinegar is a mixture of acetic acid and water. Only the acetic acid reacts with the baking soda.

Read about the reaction. Baking soda is a type of substance called a base. Vinegar, or acetic acid, is a type of substance called an acid. Bases and acids react with each other, partially breaking apart and forming different substances. This is described as “neutralization” because the end result is neither a base nor an acid. In this case, the new substances are water, a kind of salt, and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, a gas, leaves the liquid mixture and expands throughout the bottle and the balloon, inflating it.

Although the definition of acid and base can get complicated, you can compare the differences between the original substances and the “neutralized” result to see there are obvious changes. For instance, vinegar has a strong smell and can be used to dissolve grime and dirt. After being mixed with baking soda, it smells much less strongly and is no more effective at cleaning than water is.

Study the chemical formula. If you’re familiar with some chemistry, or curious about how scientists describe reactions, the formula below describes the reaction between sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 and acetic acid H C2H3O2(aq)NaC2H3O2. Can you figure out how each molecule splits apart and reforms?

NaHCO3(aq) + HC2H3O2(aq) → NaC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

The letters in parentheses show the state the chemicals are in during and after the reaction: (g)as, (l)iquid, or (aq)ueous. “Aqueous” means the chemical is dissolved in water.

Sometimes it can feel like we’re just grasping at straws when it comes to raising our children right. Teaching your kids responsibility can seem extremely difficult, but these simple tips will successfully help you raise responsible young adults with minimal stress and frustration on your part.

Before we start, I just want to preface by saying that if you’re a stay-at-home parent, you are absolutely NOT allowed to feel guilty for having your kids do chores that you are capable of doing yourself. The point of being a parent is not to cater to your child’s every need, but rather to teach them how to fend for themselves so that the transition from responsible child to responsible adult will be painless. That being said – here are some helpful tips for teaching your child to be responsible.

1.) Start them early! Try to start teaching your child responsibility at a young age. Toddler age is best. If you wait too long to start teaching your child – it’ll only confuse them and make it a more painful process. So don’t wait!

2.) Teach with your actions. Don’t just TALK to your child about responsibility – show them through your actions! Use the word “we” a lot, like saying this when you’re done with dinner: “Okay..now we’re all going to put our dishes in the sink.” Ask loved ones and babysitters to do the same so that there’s no confusion.

3.) Let kids help you. Kids actually like to help! They like to feel useful and important. Make them feel like they’re needed and that they have an important role to play by asking them to help! You’ll be surprised at how willing they are.

4.) Edify and thank your children. Positive reinforcement is key. Say things like: “I’m so proud of you for doing _____!” or “Thank you for _____!” They’ll develop a sense of ownership for these tasks and it’ll build their confidence. It’ll also help them take initiative when at school or in other situations.

5.) Give them praise, time, and self-confidence rather than rewards. There is a time and place for rewards, but this is not it. Give them your time and boost their self-confidence with praise and positive edification instead.

6.) Teach about consequences by enforcing rules. Consistency is key for this point. If your child refuses to pick up their toys, calmly let them know that as a consequence, they won’t be able to play with these toys the next day if he leaves them out. This makes it their choice and reinforces the value of responsibility.

7.) Provide a structured routine with a positive end. Kids thrive on structure. Instead of offering rewards, set a positive end to their routine. For example, your child must eat breakfast, put their dishes in the sink, and brush their teeth before playing their favorite game. The game is not the reward, but rather the end of the routine.

8.) Recognize effort rather than perfection. Your child may not make their bed perfectly, but it is the effort involved that counts. Don’t expect perfection! Eventually they’ll learn the value of a job well done, but right now what counts is that they’re making a good effort.

Instilling responsibility in your child may seem hard, but what about parenting is easy? Teach your child responsibility now, and it just may end up being one of the greatest gifts you could give them. Follow these tips to help raise your child into a responsible adult.

Check out our Parenting Resources section at JM Cremps for books designed to make your parenting adventure a little easier and more enjoyable!

Hey folks – it’s already 2017. Crazy, right!? As New Years is a time of reflection, a lot of us have probably sat down with pen and paper and after some careful thought, written down a few resolutions for the new year. After some reflection of my own, there were a few important things that stood out in my mind. Both good and bad experiences serve to help us grow, and these are a few of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the past year that may help you as well.

1.) Family is top priority. Life gets crazy. Life gets hectic. But sometimes you have to let the laundry pile up and dishes accumulate while you play “Pirates” or some other imaginative game with your 2 year old. These are memories they’ll cherish forever, while that basket of clothes..well..it’ll just have to be patient. Maybe set aside a family game night once a week to get the whole family together and involved in some fun activities! If you’re looking for the best games out there – try JMCremps’ extensive collection of board games, card games, & more.

2.) Little goals are key. Sometimes the mountain of things we have to get done can get overwhelming. Break everything down into little goals (it might help to write it down) so you can create a series of little finish-lines. According to a study by Thai Nguyen, completing these little goals actually releases dopamine, which motivates you to take action towards your goals, desires, and needs! For me, it’s even more satisfying when I can cross it off of a list. Don’t forget to create a new goal before you’re done with your current one. This ensures a consistent pattern for experiencing dopamine.

3.) Soak it in. Vow to live more in the moment this year. It’s a bit startling to think that each moment is fleeting and unique, and will never come again. Each moment is precious, so be THERE for all of it. Be thankful for all of it. Put your phone down until you’re by yourself. Show your loved ones that the time you spend with them is very important to you.

4.) Say “thank you” instead of “sorry”. Instead of apologizing every time you mess up, try saying “thank you” instead. If you’re late to a meeting with a friend, saying “thank you so much for waiting for me!” instead of “so sorry I’m late” sends out a much more positive message. Of course there are times when an apology is necessary, but I’ve found that giving gratitude instead an apology to another person leaves both sides feeling better.

5.) Get outside. This one should be obvious. Put aside more time this year to get out into the great outdoors and get some fresh air. I don’t need to quote scientific studies for this one..it’s obvious how much better we feel when we take the time to go do some kind of outdoor activity. Spending time out in nature can boost your creativity and cognitive function. Not to mention the vitamin D we get (however little it may be in winter.)

I hope you’re able to use these tidbits to help improve your life even a tiny bit. Let’s make 2017 the best year yet!

On a beautiful, crisp moonlit night in 1914, voices rose up in the frosty air, carrying out over the bleak expanse of no-man’s land to reach the trenches of the opposing side. This is the heartwarming story of the Christmas Truce that happened during WWI.

An artist’s impression from The Illustrated London News of 9 January 1915: “British and German Soldiers Arm-in-Arm Exchanging Headgear: A Christmas Truce between Opposing Trenches”

Perhaps it was a bit of curious Christmas magic that caused the truce to simultaneously break out over parts of the western front. Maybe it was the message in the songs sang by both sides on Christmas Eve, speaking of peace on earth, good will towards men. Regardless of how it started and why, two-thirds of German, French, Belgium, & British troops – about 100,000 men – participated in this Christmas miracle.

Most accounts say that it happened with the singing on Christmas Eve. As Pvt. Albert Moren of the Second Queens Regiment recalled, it was “a beautiful moonlit night, frost on the ground, white almost everywhere.” Graham Williams of the Fifth London Rifle Brigade described it with a bit more detail:

The following morning across the trenches, German soldiers emerged, calling out “Merry Christmas” in English. Allied soldiers warily left their own trenches to greet them. In other places, Germans held up signs that read “You no shoot, we no shoot.” Throughout that Christmas day, troops from both sides exchanged gifts of cigarettes, food, buttons, and hats. The truce also allowed both sides to bury their own dead comrades, whose bodies had lain for weeks on no man’s land. One account mentions a British soldier receiving a hair cut from his pre-war German barber. Other accounts speak of a pig-roast, impromptu soccer games, and other festivities.

The truce didn’t happen across the entire western front, however. In some places the fighting continued. While other moments of peace happened over the course of WWI, none came on such a scale as the Christmas truce of 1914. In one of the most violent times in history, for such a truce to happen is a truly remarkable occurrence. The truce is symbolic of the human desire for peace and humanity.

One of the most valuable (pun intended) things you can teach your child is how to responsibly manage money. Of course parents teach by example from the day their kids are born, but there will also come a time when we need to begin teaching them certain principles that they will use for the rest of their lives. Listed below are several simple principles that will be a huge help for your child.

Show them that everything we receive in this life is a gift that comes from God, and we must look to him for all of our needs. We teach them to be at peace in their heart and minds by helping them to understand submitting to his authority where money is concerned.

A perfect first subject to teach would be the simple principle of tithing 10% first, saving 10% second, and living within the remaining 80%. As your children become more familiar with this concept, encourage them to increase the tithe and savings amounts as their self-discipline increases.

Budgeting. Teach your child how to budget, and you will also be teaching them how to plan ahead. A valuable principle in every area of their lives, this will help them greatly. As Zig Ziglar said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” When your children start getting older, give them a chance to open their own checking accounts, budget their own money, and absolutely to make their own mistakes.

A penny saved is a penny earned. Kids need to learn to save for three things: purchases, an emergency fund, and wealth-building. Saving for purchases is my favorite, and also the easiest! The other two are just as important though. For teens, $500 for the emergency fund might be a good start, as this will cover things like car repairs or any unexpected purchases. By having this emergency fund, they’ll learn to start being independent rather than relying on you whenever an emergency hits. It’s a win-win! And of course your kid doesn’t have to be a stock market guru, but if you can help them understand the power of compound interest, you’ll be setting them up with financial success for the rest of their lives.

Give, give, & give again. One lesson that was pounded into my head as a child was “for heaven’s sake, can you just SHARE already?” While it may have been frustrating for my parents at the time, they really instilled the important value of giving into my life. Giving is so powerful because it not only changes the recipient, but the giver as well. This is one principle that is important for your children to see modeled by you. When your children see the positive consequences shine in your life, it’ll drive the lesson home.

Be wary of debt. As a teenager, your child will soon face the temptations of credit cards and student loans. They’ll hear a lot of things as they head off to college like: “Normal is broke.” “Car payments are just a part of life.” “You can’t live without a credit score.” and my personal favorite “It’s not even possible to live without debt.” Absolutely NONE of these are true, and it’s best to help them understand this before they step out into adulthood.

Remember that more is caught than taught! It’ll stick in their heads better to see you living out these principles in your own life rather than just giving them lectures here and there. You don’t have to be perfect when it comes to money (no one is), but you do need to make sure you’re being a strong example or none of what you say will stick! Also, be honest with your kids about financial mistakes you’ve made. Allow them to learn from your mistakes! By teaching your children these essential financial principles, you’ll have given them confidence and a hand-up in life.

Don’t forget to check out our selection of toys and products that are great resources for teaching kids financial principles. We believe it’s never too early to teach youngsters about money, finance, and even investing. While play money may seem just like another toy, it can be used to teach kids about finances, saving, and math. In our minds, that’s a toy with some real value!